13. Income Taxes

The following summarizes income tax expense (benefit) and effective tax rates:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
millions except percentages	2015			2014			2015			2014
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	77		$	428		$	(1,315	)	$	1,092
Income (loss) before income taxes	185			694			(4,443		)	(1,268		)
Effective tax rate	42		%	62		%	30		%	(86		)%

The increase from the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, was primarily attributable to the tax impact from foreign operations and Algerian exceptional profits taxes. The increase from the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended June 30, 2014, was also attributable to net changes in uncertain tax positions and the non-deductible contingent CWA-penalty accrual.

The Company reported a loss before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. As a result, items that ordinarily increase or decrease the tax rate will have the opposite effect. The decrease from the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015, was primarily attributable to Algerian exceptional profits taxes and the tax impact from foreign operations. The decrease from the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate for the six months ended June 30, 2014, was primarily attributable to net changes in uncertain tax positions related to the settlement agreement associated with the Tronox Adversary Proceeding, the tax impact from foreign operations, Algerian exceptional profits taxes, and the non-deductible contingent CWA-penalty accrual.

At June 30, 2015, the Company had recorded a $577 million tax benefit related to the Tronox settlement. This benefit was net of a $1.3 billion uncertain tax position due to the uncertainty related to the deductibility of the settlement payment. The Company is a participant in the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Compliance Assurance Process and has regular discussions with the IRS concerning the Company’s tax positions. Depending on the outcome of such discussions, it is reasonably possible that the amount of the uncertain tax position related to the settlement could change, perhaps materially. See Note 12—Contingencies—Tronox Litigation.

At June 30, 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet included $675 million of income taxes receivable presented in accounts receivable—others and $289 million of accrued income taxes presented in accrued expenses.